'Yuvraj handled chemotherapy remarkably well'

Congratulating Yuvraj Singh for successfully undergoing the chemotherapy sessions, Dr. Nitesh Rohatgi, a key member of the cricketer's medical team, on Wednesday said it was his positive attitude which helped him to handle the treatment remarkably well.

"We are glad to have Yuvraj back after successfully completing his chemotherapy. I have been closely monitoring his progress in America and have been in constant touch with his team. Yuvraj has had a good response to the chemotherapy. He has managed to handle it remarkably well due to his positive attitude," Dr Rohatgi said.

The doctor, however, refused to give any specific time for Yuvraj's return to action on the cricket field.

"In a few weeks time he would start with his exercises but it is very difficult to pinpoint a specific time of his comeback," said Dr Rohatgi, senior Medical Oncologist, Max Hospital (Saket).

"It depends a lot on his mental and physical strength," he added.

Dr Rohatgi, however, feels there is a five per cent chance of a relapse but said if it doesn't re-occur in the next four years then it would not come back.

"Yuvi is not on medication. 95 per cent cure means five per cent relapse. The maximum chance is in the first year, then the next four years and after that I know it won't come back," he insisted.

Stating that there were a lot of side effects while he was undergoing chemotherapy, Dr Rohatgi said, "But Yuvraj made very little changes in lifestyle."

He also said Yuvraj's successful battle with cancer would give hope to a lot of people.

"The fact that it's Yuvraj, lot of people will believe that cancer can be detected and treated."

Yuvraj had been in the United States undergoing treatment since the end of January for a rare germ cell between his lungs. He underwent chemotherapy in Indianapolis at the Indiana University's IU Simon Cancer Center under the supervision of Rohatgi and Lawrence H Einhorn, who had headed the treatment of cycling champion Lance Armstrong in 1996.

The 30-year-old returned home on Monday to a rousing reception from adoring fans here.